Indians Prospect Insider

Sometimes things change, and sometimes they don't. The Indians system is ripe with young talent, and they just keep showing off that talent in big ways. Back in tonight's ATF is one Jared Goedert, who is hitting about .900 this season. Luigi Rodriguez continues to fill the Lake County box score with big numbers as well. Tonight's top slot goes to the best prospect in the system, and I can't wait to see where this kid is rated in the national rankings going forward. Who are we talking about? I know, another great ATF mystery right?

The Indians welcomed old friend Eric Wedge and his Seattle Mariners to Progressive Field last night, and pounded Mariners' starter Felix Hernandez and the rest of the Mariners staff for 9 runs and 14 hits in a 9-3 Indians win. Charlie Adams gives his "second thoughts" on Ubaldo Jimenez's solid outing, the Tribe's approach at the plate against King Felix, and lots more!

The Carolina Mudcats (20-17) ninth inning rally fell short as they lost to the Salem Red Sox (20-15) 5-4 in third game of the four game series on Wednesday night. The Mudcats were blanked for most of the night thanks in large part to Red Sox starter Ryan Pressly who went seven scoreless innings striking out eight while scattering four hits.

The only thing that changed for the Lake County Captains on Wednesday night was the venue. Playing away from the friendly confines of Classic Park for the first time in seven games, the Captains (20-19) kept on rolling, defeating the second-place South Bend Silver Hawks (21-19) 5-2. It was the fifth consecutive win for Lake County, placing them over .500 for the first time since April 10.

Mike Sarbaugh was angry in the top of the ninth inning Wednesday night, to the point where he ended up getting ejected from the game between his Clippers and the Syracuse Chiefs. Sarbaugh had a reason to be happy after the game, though, as Columbus (19-20) won for just the second time in nine games, defeating Syracuse, 6-2, in front of 7,803 fans at Huntington Park.

The Kinston Indians were pitching dominant for the past two seasons. The Carolina Mudcats haven't been, but over the past two weeks, the Muddies have started to resemble the K-Tribe in more ways than just as the Indians' High A affiliate. The pitching has really started to carry this team. How much? Hop in the outboard and let's go Fishing for some Mudcats, as Jim Pete brings the Muddies weekly notebook.

For the second straight day, a left-handed starting pitcher threw seven scoreless innings at Jerry Uht Park Wednesday. Only this time, it came from the game’s other contingent. Erie SeaWolves pitcher Jared Wesson pitched seven shutout innings en route to a 2-1 victory over the Akron Aeros. It was a reversal of fortune for the Aeros, who earned a win Tuesday behind seven scoreless frames from starter T.J. McFarland.

It is Wednesday, which means it is time to take stock on some of the players in the Indians’ minor league system that are increasing their value and others that are dropping in value. In today's premium feature, Tony provides prospect stock tips on 20 players, including Jason Donald, Ezequiel Carrera, Kevin Slowey, Scott Barnes, Jared Goedert, Rob Bryson, Mason Radeke, Tyler Holt, Kyle Petter, Alex Lavisky, Joe Colon and more!

Lindor continues to rake in Lake County, and T.J. McFarland is returning back to the fold as a top prospect. The top star for ATF on Tuesday night is perhaps the best player in the system right now. Jim Pete returns with another edition of IPI's original Around the Farm.

Double-A Akron outfielder Jared Goedert is tearing up the Eastern League as he leads the league in almost every offensive category. Steve Orbanek shares the latest details on how Goedert is performing, how the move to the outfield is going, and what kind of future he may have with the Indians.

Following a rain out on Monday the Carolina Mudcats (19-16) and Salem Red Sox (19-14) split a doubleheader Tuesday. In the first game the ineffectiveness of Mudcat starter Mike Rayl proved to be too much to overcome for the Mudcats as they fell 8-6. Rayl only lasted two and two third innings and in that time he gave up seven runs (six earned) on six hits.

The Clippers 10-game road trip ended Monday afternoon, but the losing that defined Columbus’ performance in opposing team’s ballparks over the past week and a half did not. Columbus returned home to Huntington Park Tuesday night, and for the seventh time in eight games, the Clippers were defeated, falling to the Syracuse Chiefs, 5-1.

Jared Goedert went 4-4 with two home runs, leading the Akron Aeros over the Erie SeaWolves 8-1. Goedert had his best game of the season, hitting three extra-base hits as the Aeros broke a season-long four game losing streak and ended Erie’s six game winning streak.

The Indians won 5-0 on Tuesday afternoon in Minnesota and swept the mini-two game series from the Twins. Derek Lowe was at his best with a complete game shutout and the offense gave him just enough support. Charlie Adams provides his "second thoughts" on the game and applauds Lowe's effort to date, likes Choo leading off, plus a lot more.

The Aeros were bound to fall off their torrid pace at some point. Join Jim Piascik for "Launching Off With The Aeros" to see what went wrong for Akron over the past week leading to their 3-5 record - and also what went right. As always, Jim gives you all the Aeros stats you could possibly hope for and covers all the things you need to know about your Akron Aeros.

The Lake County Captains (19-19) completed the four game sweep of the Great Lakes Loons (20-19) on Tuesday, winning the game by a score of 4-1. The win pushed the Captains, winners of seven of their last eight, back to .500 on the season. The four game winning streak is the longest of the season for Lake County. Meanwhile, the Loons suffered their fifth straight defeat.

In today’s Minor Happenings, Tony get us all up to speed on a flurry of comments from Ross Atkins on players at the Double-A and Triple-A level, and also talk about Francisco Lindor’s impressive play and development, the value of lefty Francisco Jimenez, the slow return to form of Cord Phelps, what Matt LaPorta’s dominance in Triple-A means, the future of Nick Weglarz with the Indians and in baseball, the emergence of young Latin prospect Luis Lugo and lots more!

Tony and Jim return to the cyberwaves tonight for another edition of "Smoke Signals" from 10:00 – 11:00PM EST. Tonight outfielder Bryson Myles will join the show for an on-air interview to talk about his season so far at Lake County. Also, Jim and Tony will discuss the issues at the top of the Indians rotation with Masterson and Jimenez, how Lowe and Gomez have saved them, and what some of the recent roster changes mean.

The Indians blew a 4-1 lead in the 8th inning as Nick Hagadone served up a 2-run homer which tied the game, but the Indians came back in the top of the 9th and scored a run on a Choo RBI single and then Chris Perez slammed the door in the bottom of the inning for his 12th save. Adam McGavin gives his "second thoughts" on another hard fought Indians win and another good start by Jeanmar Gomez.

"When it rains, it pours." While this phrase certainly describes the Carolina Mudcats and their fourth rainout in just over a month, it better describes Monday Night's top player. Joseph Colon got his third straight win and his third straight quality start. Luigi Rodriguez begged, borrowed and stole his way on base. But today's top player continued to play above superlatives and hyperbole. The next big thing for the Cleveland Indians is exactly who you think it is, and I have a feeling he's just getting warmed up.

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!